Schools with highest number of sign-ups to free meals are both from the north-east

Fears were raised last night that hundreds of north-east youngsters may be missing out on free school meals because of a language barrier.

New figures reveal that more than 7,000 children and young people in Aberdeenshire are living in poverty.

But just 2,556 of those receive the free school meals that provide vital nutrition.

The poverty problem is particularly acute in the Buchan area, with the national End Child Poverty campaign revealing that in 2017, 17.41% of children in the area were living in poverty, after housing costs were considered.

That is higher than the Aberdeenshire average of 12.59%.

Aberdeenshire Council’s own report to committee reveals that Fraserburgh Academy and Buchanhaven Primary School have the highest number of youngsters over primary four age signed up for free school meals in Aberdeenshire.

Buchanhaven Primary School

Buchanhaven Primary School has 77 pupils making use of the scheme.

Council officers will present members of the Buchan area committee with a report on Tuesday about reducing child poverty in the area during 2019.

In Buchan alone, figures show there are 546 low income households, with 576 pupils from primary four to sixth year who have taken the opportunity to receive free school meals.

Part of what they will consider is the Aberdeenshire Child Poverty Action Plan 2018 to 2022.

Fraserburgh Academy

It aims to explore potential improvements for families in food poverty as well as attempting to minimise school day costs by maximising free meal and uniform grant uptakes as well as address food insecurity during school holidays.

Ahead of the meeting, Peterhead-based charity boss Martin Danziger, who helps north-east youngsters at Modo and the Encounter Youth Cafe said he feared there were still too many barriers to the take-up of school meals.

“These figures make me think there must be reasons why people in areas which should be utilising the opportunity to receive free school meals aren’t managing to access them.

“There are issues with access, in terms of getting and completing the forms.